U.S. patent number 11,146,595 [Application Number 16/740,144] was granted by the patent office on 2021-10-12 for service-based ip multimedia network subsystem (ims) architecture.
This patent grant is currently assigned to T-Mobile USA, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is T-Mobile USA, Inc.. Invention is credited to Zeeshan Jahangir, Christopher H. Joul, Shujaur Mufti, Umair Rehmat.
United States Patent |
11,146,595 |
Jahangir , et al. |
October 12, 2021 |
Service-based IP multimedia network subsystem (IMS)
architecture
Abstract
A service-based architecture (SBA) IP Multimedia Network
Subsystem (IMS) network exposes Network Functions (NFs) to nodes
within a 5G core network (CN), nodes within the SBA IMS network,
and/or nodes within another network. In contrast to the SBA IMS
network, legacy IMS networks are non-SBA IMS stateful networks that
may utilize the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). Utilizing the
SBA IMS network, a node in the 5G core network can communicate
directly with any node in the SBA IMS network. The SBA IMS network
is stateless and open as opposed to stateful and closed as in SIP
based legacy IMS networks. In some configurations, the SBA IMS
network utilizes a HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP). For
instance, instead of using the application layer SIP protocol,
techniques can include using HTTP. The SBA IMS may also connect to
legacy SIP IMS networks.
Inventors: |
Jahangir; Zeeshan (Snoqualmie,
WA), Rehmat; Umair (Redmond, WA), Mufti; Shujaur
(Snoqualmie, WA), Joul; Christopher H. (Bellevue, WA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
T-Mobile USA, Inc. |
Bellevue |
WA |
US |
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Assignee: |
T-Mobile USA, Inc. (Bellevue,
WA)
|
Family
ID: |
70277149 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/740,144 |
Filed: |
January 10, 2020 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20200344274 A1 |
Oct 29, 2020 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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62838160 |
Apr 24, 2019 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L
65/1016 (20130101); H04L 65/1063 (20130101); H04L
67/142 (20130101); H04L 65/1006 (20130101); H04L
65/1069 (20130101); H04L 67/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06F
15/16 (20060101); H04L 29/06 (20060101); H04L
29/08 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
The Extended European Search Report dated Jun. 24, 2020 for
European Application No. 20168572.4, 8 pages. cited by
applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Dalencourt; Yves
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Lee & Hayes, P.C.
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of priority to provisional U.S.
Patent Application Ser. No. 62/838,160, filed on Apr. 24, 2019, and
entitled "Enhanced Service-Based IMS Architecture", which is
incorporated by reference in entirety.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device comprising: one or more processors; at least one
memory; and one or more components stored in the at least one
memory and executable by the one or more processors to perform
operations comprising: receiving a request for a service, wherein
the device is configured to communicate using a stateless protocol
with a second device; identifying that the request is from the
second device and that the request is in accordance with the
stateless protocol; and providing the service from the device
directly to the second device, wherein the device is a node within
a service-based architecture (SBA) IP Multimedia Network Subsystem
(IMS), and wherein the SBA IMS is coupled to a non-SBA IMS that
utilizes a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), wherein the SBA IMS
is configured to communicate with the non-SBA IMS, and wherein the
SBA IMS implements at least some services also implemented by the
non-SBA IMS.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the second device is within a 5G
core network that is coupled to the SBA IMS.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the stateless protocol is a
HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP).
4. The device of claim 1, further comprising: identifying that the
request is for communication with a third device within the non-SBA
IMS; and establishing a connection between the SBA IMS and the
non-SBA IMS.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the second device is configured
to communicate directly with a plurality of devices within the SBA
IMS.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is further configured
to communicate directly with a plurality of nodes within a 5G core
network.
7. A computer-implemented method performed by one or more
processors configured with specific instructions, the
computer-implemented method comprising: receiving, at a first node
within a service-based architecture (SBA) IP Multimedia Network
Subsystem (IMS), a request for a service, wherein the SBA IMS
includes the first node that is configured to communicate using a
stateless protocol with a second node; identifying that the request
is from the second node and that the request is in accordance with
the stateless protocol; and providing the service from the first
node directly to the second node, wherein the SBA IMS is coupled to
a non-SBA IMS that utilizes a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP),
wherein the SBA IMS is configured to communicate with the non-SBA
IMS, and wherein the SBA IMS implements at least some services also
implemented by the non-SBA IMS.
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the second
node is within a 5G core network that is coupled to the SBA
IMS.
9. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the
stateless protocol is a HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP).
10. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, further comprising:
identifying that the request is for communication with a third node
within the non-SBA IMS; and establishing a connection between the
SBA IMS and the non-SBA IMS.
11. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the second
node is configured to communicate directly with a plurality of
nodes within the SBA IMS.
12. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the first
node is configured to expose one or more of a NF Discovery service
or a NF Management service.
13. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein a plurality
of nodes within the SBA IMS are configured to communicate directly
with a second plurality of nodes within a 5G core network.
14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions
that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform
operations, comprising receiving, at a first node within a
service-based architecture (SBA) IP Multimedia Network Subsystem
(IMS), a request for a service, wherein the SBA IMS includes the
first node that is configured to communicate using a stateless
protocol with a second node; identifying that the request is from
the second node and that the request is in accordance with the
stateless protocol; and providing the service from the first node
directly to the second node, wherein the SBA IMS is coupled to a
non-SBA IMS that utilizes a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP),
wherein the SBA IMS is configured to communicate with the non-SBA
IMS, and wherein the SBA IMS implements at least some services also
implemented by the non-SBA IMS.
15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14,
wherein the second node is within a 5G core network that is coupled
to the SBA IMS.
16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14,
wherein the stateless protocol is a HyperText Transfer Protocol
(HTTP).
17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, the
operations further comprising: identifying that the request is for
communication with a third node within the non-SBA IMS; and
establishing a connection between the SBA IMS and the non-SBA IMS.
Description
BACKGROUND
Modern terrestrial telecommunication systems include heterogeneous
mixtures of second, third, and fourth generation (2G, 3G, and 4G)
cellular-wireless access technologies, which can be
cross-compatible and can operate collectively to provide data
communication services. Global Systems for Mobile (GSM) is an
example of 2G telecommunications technologies; Universal Mobile
Telecommunications System (UMTS) is an example of 3G
telecommunications technologies; and Long Term Evolution (LTE),
including LTE Advanced, and Evolved High-Speed Packet Access
(HSPA+) are examples of 4G telecommunications technologies. Moving
forward, future telecommunications systems may include fifth
generation (5G) cellular-wireless access technologies to provide
improved bandwidth and decreased response times to a multitude of
devices that may be connected to a network.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The detailed description is set forth with reference to the
accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a
reference number identifies the figure in which the reference
number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in
different figures indicates similar or identical components or
features.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an illustrative environment that
utilizes a service-based architecture (SBA) IP Multimedia Network
Subsystem (IMS) network.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an illustrative environment
including a 5G core network, an SBA IMS network, and a legacy IMS
network.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an illustrative environment
illustrating a Network Function (NF) discover service and NF
management service.
FIG. 4 is a diagram of an illustrative environment showing
signaling between user equipment and a Multimedia Access Gateway
Function (MAGF) that is located within an SBA IMS network.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a system that includes one
or more components for utilizing an SBA IMS network.
FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an example process that includes
utilizing an SBA IMS network, according to some
implementations.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Described herein are techniques and systems relating to an
enhanced, service-based architecture (SBA) IP Multimedia Network
Subsystem (IMS) network. Using techniques described herein, an SBA
IMS network exposes Network Functions (NFs) to nodes within a 5G
core network (CN), nodes within the SBA IMS network, and/or nodes
within some other network.
Current IMS networks (which may be referred to herein as "legacy
IMS networks") are non-SBA IMS stateful networks that may utilize
the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). SIP is a signaling protocol
used for initiating, maintaining, and terminating real-time
sessions that include voice, video and messaging applications.
These legacy IMS networks that utilize SIP do not follow a SBA.
Generally, a SBA provides different services that may be accessed
and utilized directly by different nodes. Instead of utilizing a
SIP based legacy IMS network, the current techniques described
herein utilize an SBA IMS that exposes NFs and services directly to
other nodes.
Utilizing the SBA IMS network, a node, such as a device in the 5G
core network, can communicate directly with any node in the SBA IMS
network. For example, instead of a node within the 5G core network
having to first contact a particular service node within a SIP
based IMS network to access a particular service provided by
another node, the node within the 5G CN can directly access the
node providing the service using a standard Application Programming
Interface (API). Similarly, a node, such as a node in the SBA IMS
network, can communicate with any node in the 5G CN. Stated another
way, the SBA IMS network is stateless and open as opposed to
stateful and closed as in SIP based legacy MS networks.
In some configurations, the SBA IMS network utilizes a Hypertext
Transfer Protocol (HTTP). For instance, instead of using the
application layer SIP protocol, the SIP protocol is replaced with
HTTP. Generally, HTTP is a more lightweight protocol compared to
SIP. The SBA IMS may also connect to legacy SIP IMS networks.
The SBA IMS network discussed herein may provide benefits over
legacy IMS networks. For example, the SBA IMS network can take
advantage of functionality provided by SBA 5G CNs. The SBA IMS
network may be more lightweight and open compared to legacy IMS
networks. In some examples, an outside entity (e.g., a node in the
5G Core Network, and/or a node in another network) can communicate
directly with a node in the SBA IMS network. Further, the SBA IMS
network may be simpler, and more streamlined compared to legacy IMS
network architectures. The SBA IMS network and the 5G CN may also
be derived from common NFs and/or services between the SBA IMS
network and the 5G CN since they are both SBAs. According to some
implementations, authentication and call session procedures may
also be simplified resulting in reduced signaling. Additionally,
new NFs introduced within the SBA IMS network may be configured to
host multiple services which may be consumed by NFs within the SBA
IMS network, the 5G CN, and/or other networks.
The systems, devices, and techniques described herein can improve a
functioning of a network by providing an architecture to expose NFs
within an SBA IMS network. For example, using the techniques
described herein nodes may communicate directly with one another
using a stateless architecture. Further, networks may share common
functionality. For examples, nodes within a 5G CN may utilize
functionality within the SBA IMS network, and nodes within the SBA
IMS network may utilize functionality within the 5G CN. These and
other improvements to the functioning of a computer and network are
discussed herein. More details are provided below with reference to
FIGS. 1-6.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an illustrative environment 100
that utilizes an SBA IMS network 114. The environment 100 may
include an access network 102, a 5G core network 110, an SBA IMS
network 114, and a legacy IMS network 118 that is associated with a
wireless service provider(s). The environment 100 is illustrated in
simplified form and may include many more components.
The environment 100 may include cells, such as cell 104, that may
be wireless or wired that are coupled to 5G core network 110 and/or
some other network. The environment 100 may also include one or
more access points (not shown), and one or more gateways (not
shown). A cell, such as cell 104, may handle traffic and signals
between electronic devices, such as the user equipment 106, and 5G
CN 110. For example, a cell 104 may perform the transcoding of
speech channels, allocation of radio channels to electronic
devices, paging, transmission and reception of voice and data, as
well as other functions. A cell 104 may include several base
transceiver stations (BTS), each BTS may include a transceiver,
antenna, and additional network switch and control equipment that
provide a network cell for facilitating wireless communication
between UE computing devices and the core network 110 and/or other
networks. In some examples, the cells 104 may include a gNodeB
and/or an eNodeB.
The user equipment 106, which may also be referred to herein as
"user endpoint (UE)", are computing devices that can include, but
are not limited to, smart phones, mobile phones, cell phones,
tablet computers, portable computers, laptop computers, personal
digital assistants (PDAs), electronic book devices, or any other
portable electronic devices that can generate, request, receive,
transmit, or exchange voice, video, and/or digital data using a
cellular access network 102, and/or over a Wi-Fi network, or some
other type of network. In some instances, the UE 106 computing
devices can be configured to send and receive data using any wired
or wireless protocols. Additional examples of the UE 106 include,
but are not limited to, smart devices such as televisions, music
players, or any other electronic appliances that can generate,
request, receive, transmit, or exchange voice, video, and/or
digital data over a network. In some examples, the UE 106 is
configured to communicate with 5G CN 110, and/or other cellular
networks. The UE 106 can further be configured to establish or
receive a communication session, such as a voice call, a video
call, or another sort of communication.
In some configurations, one or more nodes, such as nodes 112
illustrated in 5G CN 110 and/or nodes 116 illustrated in SBA IMS
network 114 may be configured as one or more application servers
that provide support for one more applications, such as application
107 utilized by one or more computing devices, such as UE 106. Some
example applications include, but are not limited to browser
applications, messaging applications, voice applications (e.g.,
Voice over Internet Protocol "VoIP" applications), video
applications, and the like.
While the nodes 112 are illustrated within the 5G CN 110 and nodes
116 are illustrated in SBA IMS network 114, one or more other
computing devices may be located outside of these networks. For
example, an application server, or some other server or device, may
be connected to a network via one or more external packet switched
networks, such as the Internet.
According to some configurations, a telephony client application,
such as application 107, on the UE 106 may establish data
communication with the network 110 through a data connection to the
cell 104. The cell 104 may route a communication wired/wirelessly
from the UE 106 through the access network 102 for communication to
the 5G CN 110. In general, a cell 104 can be implemented as a
variety of technologies to provide wired and/or wireless access to
the network, as discussed herein. In some instances, the cell 104
can include a New Radio (5G) RAN, a 3GPP RAN, such a GSM/EDGE RAN
(GERAN), a Universal Terrestrial RAN (UTRAN), an evolved UTRAN
(E-UTRAN), or alternatively, a "non-3GPP" RAN, such as a Wi-Fi RAN,
or another type of wireless local area network (WLAN) that is based
on the IEEE 802.11 standards. Further, the cell 104 can include any
number and type of transceivers and/or base stations representing
any number and type of macrocells, microcells, picocells, or
femtocells, for example, with any type or amount of overlapping
coverage or mutually exclusive coverage.
When a communication request arrives at the network 110, one or
more of the nodes 112 may determine the identity of the originating
computing device for the communication (e.g., using a telephone
number, IMEI, IMSI, IP address) as well as the identity of the
computing devices to send the communication. In some
configurations, one or more of the nodes 116 may be utilized to
determine the identity of the originating computing device for the
communication as well as the identity of the computing devices to
send the communication. The one or more of the nodes 112, 116 may
also identify that the UE 106 is communicating using a stateless
protocol that is associated with a SBA or a stateful protocol
(e.g., SIP) that is associated with a non-SBA. According to some
configurations, a UE 106 may connect to the service nodes 112, or
some other component such as an application server, via the
Internet (not illustrated).
As illustrated, the environment 100 includes one or more servers,
including nodes 112 and 116, to facilitate communications by and
between the various devices in the environment 100 and perform
operations relating to utilizing the SBA IMS network 114, the
legacy IMS network 118, and/or other networks. That is, environment
100 can include any computing devices implementing various aspects
of one or more of second, third, fourth generation, and fifth
generation (2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G) cellular-wireless access
technologies, which may be cross-compatible and may operate
collectively to provide data communication services. Global Systems
for Mobile (GSM) is an example of 2G telecommunications
technologies; Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is
an example of 3G telecommunications technologies; and Long-Term
Evolution (LTE), including LTE Advanced, Evolved High-Speed Packet
Access (HSPA+) are examples of 4G, and 5G NR is an example of 5G
telecommunications technologies. Thus, the environment 100 may
implement GSM, UMTS, LTE/LTE Advanced, and/or 5G NR
telecommunications technologies.
The environment 100 may include, but is not limited to, a
combination of: base transceiver stations BTSs (e.g., NodeBs,
Enhanced-NodeBs, gNodeBs), Radio Network Controllers (RNCs),
serving GPRS support nodes (SGSNs), gateway GPRS support nodes
(GGSNs), proxies, a mobile switching center (MSC), a mobility
management entity (MME), a serving gateway (SGW), a packet data
network (PDN) gateway (PGW), an evolved packet data gateway
(e-PDG), an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or
any other data traffic control entity configured to communicate
and/or route data packets between the UE 106, and one or more
endpoints within the environment 100 (e.g., nodes 112A-112S that
provide network functions (NFs) 120A-120D, nodes 16A-116Q that
provide NFs 120E-120I, websites, etc.). While FIG. 1 illustrates an
example environment 100, it is understood in the context of this
document, that the techniques discussed herein may also be
implemented in other networking technologies.
As briefly discussed above, the SBA IMS network 114 exposes Network
Functions (NFs), such as NFs 120E-120Z, to nodes within a 5G CN,
nodes within the SBA IMS network, and/or nodes within some other
network. As illustrated, the 5G CN exposes NFs 120A-120D. The SBA
IMS network 114 may also be coupled to a legacy IMS network 118.
The legacy IMS network 118 is a non-SBA stateful network that may
utilize SIP. In contrast to the legacy IMS network 118, the SBA IMS
network 114 provides services and NFs that may be accessed and
utilized directly by different nodes.
Utilizing the SBA IMS network 114, a node, such as a node in the 5G
CN 110, can communicate directly with any node in the SBA IMS
network 114. For example, instead of a node within the 5G CN 110
having to first contact a particular service node within the legacy
IMS network 118 to access a particular service, the node within the
5G CN 110 can directly access the node within SMS IMS network 114
that provides the service. In some examples, the nodes utilize a
standard Application Programming Interface (API) to communicate.
Similarly, a node, such as a node in the SBA IMS network 114, can
communicate with any node in the 5G CN 110 since the SBA IMS
network is stateless and open as opposed to stateful and closed as
in the SIP based legacy IMS network 118. In some configurations,
the SBA IMS network 114 utilizes HTTP instead of SIP as utilized by
the legacy IMS network 118. Generally, HTTP is more lightweight
compared to SIP.
The SBA IMS network 114 may take advantage of functionality
provided by SBA 5G CN 110. For instance, a node in the SBA IMS
network 114 may communicate directly with a node in the 5G CN 110
and a node in the 5G CN 110 may communicate directly with a node in
the SBA IMS network 114. Further, in some examples, the SBA IMS
network 114 and the 5G CN 110 can be derived from common NFs and/or
services between the SBA IMS network 114 and the 5G CN 110 since
these networks are both SBAs. According to some implementations,
authentication and call session procedures may also be simplified
resulting in reduced signaling.
Additionally, new NFs introduced within the SBA IMS network 110 may
be configured to host multiple services which may be consumed by
NFs within the SBA IMS network 114 and the 5G CN 110. More details
are provided below with regard to FIGS. 2-6.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an illustrative environment 200
including a 5G CN 110, an SBA IMS network 114, and a legacy IMS
network 118. The environment 200 illustrates additional details
(compared to FIG. 1) on exemplary NFs exposed by SBA IMS network
114 and 5G CN 110. As discussed above, an exposed NF may be
accessed directly by different nodes within the 5G CN 110, an SBA
IMS network 114, and/or some other network.
According to some configurations and as described herein, the SBA
IMS network 114 is a stateless based architecture in which common
network functions (NFs) are exposed between the SBA IMS network 114
and the 5G CN 110. In some examples, the SBA IMS network 114 a
lightweight HTTP/Representational State Transfer (REST) protocol
rather than a SIP application layer protocol as utilized by the
legacy IMS network 118. The SBA IMS network 114 may host NFs not
illustrated in FIG. 2 such that the SBA IMS network 114 may host
multiple services. Further, services and NFs exposed by the SBA IMS
network 114 may be consumed by SBA NF, whether the SBA NF.
As illustrated, according to some configurations, different NFs,
such as NFs 202, 204, 206, 208, 212, 214, 216, 220, 222, 224, 226,
228, 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240, 242, 244, and 246, are connected
together using a common API which may be referred to herein as a
service-based interface (SBI). For instance, the SBI for MNRF 232
is Nmnrf 248. Similar interfaces exist for the other NFs. As
discussed above, a NF service can directly access other NF services
without having to pass through another node. In some
configurations, a network repository function may be utilized as a
discovery mechanism for identifying available NF services. Various
NFs associated with the SBA IMS network 114 may indicate
capabilities during a discovery procedure to the Multimedia Network
Repository Function (MNRF) 232 associated with the SBA IMS network
114. The NFs may further implement network function
registration.
Turning to FIG. 3, the MNRF 232 may implement a NF Discovery
service 310 for a NF to discover other NFs. In some cases, the MNRF
232 may be configured to allow NFs to discover other NFs
known/registered to the MNRF 232. For example, NF 302A may query
MNRF 232, and/or possibly another node, to discover one or more
available NFs provided by an NF.
In some implementations, the MNRF 232 may further implement an NF
Management service 320. The MNRF 232 may allow a NF to
register/de-register itself with the MNRF 232 and provide update
service capabilities.
According to some configurations, the MNRF 232 may be configured to
provide functionality associated with an authentication service.
Using the authentication service, the MNRF 232 may allocate an
authentication token to an NF during registration for added
security. If a token grant mechanism is used, once allocated, any
further actions by a NF (e.g., update, delete etc.) may utilize the
MNRF 232 to validate against the allocated token.
Returning to FIG. 2, in some examples, during 5G registration,
network devices/terminals, such as UE 106, depending on
capabilities and operator settings, may receive IMS access gateway
information for establishing IMS sessions. The information may be
received from an access gateway function in the SBA IMS network. As
illustrated in FIG. 2, the access gateway function may be referred
to as the Multimedia Access Gateway Function (MAGF) 236. In some
configurations, the MAGF 236 can be a simplified HTTP based access
network function and act as entry point into the SBA IMS network
114. In some cases, the MAGF 236 may replace the existing IMS SIP
access gateway (P-CSCF).
After 5G CN authentication and registration, network
devices/terminals, such as UE 106, may implement HTTP-based IMS
authentication, registration, and authorization for IMS services.
Network access can be granted at a service level, where a
device/terminal is individually authenticated for each service it
needs to access. In some cases, network access can be granted at a
group level (Service Group) against a list of services which can be
authenticated and authorized based on a single HTTP request
indicating the services to be accessed. An implementation strategy
(e.g., service-level implementation or group-level implementation)
can depend on a service provider's preference and/or a device
manufacturer's preference.
In various implementations, upon receiving a network access request
from an SBA IMS device/terminal, such as from UE 106, the MAGF 236
may inspect the incoming HTTP message for security parameters and
service(s) being requested. Based on a configuration, the MAGF 236
may invoke a Multimedia Authentication Function (MAUF) 238.
The MAUF 238 may provide authentication and authorization services
at a service level by generating authorization code(s) and access
token(s) to enable service access. These authorization code(s) and
access token(s) may be used by the network devices/terminals and
IMS services intercommunication, respectively.
Following successful authentication and authorization, access to an
IMS service may be granted. In some cases, during a transition from
a legacy IMS network 118 to an SBA IMS network 114, network
devices/terminals may include dual stack (SIP as well as HTTP)
capabilities to work with non-SBA IMS networks.
In various examples, the MAGF 236 and MAUF 238 can be implemented
as separated, collocated, or included within a single NF, thereby
exposing authorization and access services. Whether the MAGF 236
and MAUF 238 are separated, or collocated may depend on a service
provider's preference, an equipment vendor's preference, and/or
some other consideration.
Following security procedures implementation, IMS
devices/terminals, such as UE 106, may register with the SBA IMS
network 114. In some cases, registration can either be part of the
aforementioned authorization procedures or an independent method.
According to some configurations, devices, such as UE 106, can
register for a service (e.g., voice) or multiple services (e.g.,
voice, video, and text) in the same process.
Various implementations also relate to session routing. In an SBA
IMS network 114, a Multimedia Session Routing Function (MSRF) 240
may provide routing services for multimedia session types (e.g.,
voice, video etc.) which includes end user determination (e.g.,
user registered within SBA IMS vs anchored in non IMS domain).
In addition, a Multimedia Application Function (MAF) 242 may be
included in the SBA IMS network 114. The MAF 242 may expose various
services to accept multimedia requests and apply configured/allowed
services to these sessions. In some configurations, the MAF 242 is
configured to handle at least some Multimedia Telephony (MMTel)
services such as, but not limited to voice, video, chat, messaging,
file transfer, multi-party calling, and 3rd party supplementary
services (call forwarding, caller identification, short code
dialing etc.). In some examples, the MAF 242 can handle at least
one other IMS service, such as Rich Communication Service (RCS)
messaging, presence, address book services, and the like.
Various multimedia registration sessions may be redirected to the
MSRF 240 which can discover the MAF 242 (hosting the multimedia
service) via the MNRF 232 (NF discovery procedure prescribed above)
and route the session towards it. In various implementations, the
MAF 242 uploads the constructed profile to a Multimedia Storage
Function (MSTF) 230, so any MAF 242 instance may be able to handle
multimedia sessions related to a given IMS device/terminal. The MAF
242 may discover the 5G UDM 226 through MNRF 232 interworking with
the 5G NRF 222 and download the user profile. In some cases, the
MSRF 240 can be defined statically on a MAGF 236 or may follow NF
discovery procedures as discussed above.
Active multimedia sessions may follow similar methods to those
described herein, in order to discover the MAF 242 which can apply
the provisioned multimedia services. Once services are applied,
sessions can be handed over to the MSRF 240 for
handling/routing/termination. In cases in which the MAF 242 is
unaware of the incoming session user (e.g., the user is hosted by
another MAF 242 instance), the MAF 242 can discover the MSTF 230 to
obtain the profile constructed and uploaded during registration.
For users that have fallen off the SBA IMS network 114, the MAF 242
can attempt a profile recovery mechanism where a default profile
can be created. Accordingly, session handling by the SBA IMS
network 114 can continue.
In some examples, the MSTF 230 may provide storage services for
ephemeral as well as persistent storage use cases. Several tiers
may be constructed in terms of data availability and
retrieval/access class as per operator requirements. In some cases,
at least one of a user profile, registration state, call state,
provisioning info, billing info such as Call Data Records (CDRs),
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Performance Management (PM),
or alarming info for Fault Management (FM) can be stored at the
MSTF 230.
In some implementations, a Multimedia Management Function (MMF) 246
can provide various (e.g., all) Operations, Administration and
Management (OAM) services for an SBA IMS network 114. The MMF 246
may interact with the MSTF 230. In some cases, the MMF 246 can
utilize operations and maintenance data (e.g., Performance
Management (PM), Fault Management (FM), etc.) stored at the MMF 246
for illustration purposes and can act as a gateway towards network
operator or 3rd party systems which utilize this data (e.g.,
billing). The MMF 246 may also provide service assurance
capabilities and interwork with opensource/standard defined
orchestration functions (e.g., Open Networking Automation Platform
(ONAP)/European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI)
Network Functions Virtualization (NFV)).
According to some configurations, the SBA IMS network 114 connects
to one or more other networks, such as the SIP based legacy IMS
network 118. In some examples, a Multimedia Interworking Function
(MIF) 244 may allow interconnectivity between the SBA IMS network
114 and the legacy IMS network 118, as well as non-IMS 3GPP
networks (e.g., Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), 3G,
etc.). The end user determination service in the MSFR 240 briefly
discussed above may invoke the MIF 244 to handle calls destined for
users outside the SBA IMS network 114. The MIF 244 can act as a
back-to-back user agent.
According to some examples, the MIF 244 may interwork between SIP
and HTTP. In some configurations, the MIF 244 may also anchor the
user plane for these sessions and offer a transcoding service for
sessions between the SBA IMS network 114 and the legacy IMS network
118 and/or other networks. In addition, the MIF 244 can expose a
service capable of breaking out sessions towards circuit switched
(PSTN, 3G) networks.
To handle media within the SBA IMS network 114, a Multimedia User
Plane Function (MUPF) 234, that may be similar to the UPF 214, can
be included in the SBA IMS network 114. The MUPF 234 may offer
services for handling various (e.g., some/all) media/codec as well
as transcoding within the SBA IMS network 114. The MUPF 234 may
also expose services to anchor multimedia (e.g., voice, text, 3PCC,
etc.) sessions. The MUPF 234 may additionally support supplementary
services, such as any of announcements, caller tunes, and
voicemail. The MSTF 230 may also store various (e.g., all) media
related to said supplementary services. In certain implementations,
the MUPF 234 can interact with the MSTF 230 as needed for data
retrieval (e.g., playback).
Various configurations relate to seamless connectivity. In some
cases, a 5G CN 110 and the SBA IMS network 114 can interact
seamlessly via internetwork service discovery. As an example, the
MNRF 232 can be utilized to discover the 5G CN Charging Function
(CHF) 216 through the MNRF 232 and NRF interconnection, thereby
offering a single platform to conduct charging across the entire
network (e.g., data and multimedia). Similarly, 5G UDM 226 can be
accessed by IMS NFs for user profile/provisioning needs, or
specifically, in terminating multimedia session scenarios for
access domain selection by determining user registration is in 5G
IMS or legacy VoLTE network. Accordingly, various (e.g., any) IMS
NFs can discover and utilize services of 5G CN NFs, and vice versa,
as needed.
The AMF 208 connects to UE 106 and gNb 218 and manages UE related
functions. In some examples, access and mobility functions are
performed by AMF 208. The PCF 206 corresponds to policy and
charging rule control function (PCRF) as included in legacy IMS
networks. The AF 204 performs a role of an application server and
may interact with a 3GPP core network in order to provide
services.
FIG. 4 is a diagram of an illustrative environment 400 showing
signaling between user equipment 106 and a Multimedia Access
Gateway Function (MAGF) 236 that is located within an SBA IMS
network. As illustrated, environment 400 shows UE 106, cell 104, 5G
CN 110, and MAGF 236.
As discussed above, MAGF 236 may be located in the SBA IMS network
114. In some configurations, the MAGF 236 can be a simplified HTTP
based access NF and act as entry point into the SBA IMS network
114.
After 5G CN authentication and registration, UE 106 is illustrated
as providing an HTTP message at 410 to register with SBA IMS
network 114 via the MAGF 236, the MAGF 236 may inspect the incoming
HTTP message for security parameters and service(s) being
requested. In this example, the message at 410 requests that UE 106
be registered for voice service and video service. In response to
receiving message 410, the MAGF 236 registers the UE 106, and
authorizes the UE 106 for voice and video services. The MAGF 236
also provides message 412 to the UE 106 indicating success.
At 414, the UE 106 requests to register for voice service. In
response to receiving the request from UE 106, the MAGF 236
registers the UE 106, and authorizes the UE 106 for voice service.
At 416, the MAGF 236 transmits a message to the UE 106 indicating
success.
At 418, the UE 106 requests to register for video service. In
response to receiving the request from UE 106, the MAGF 236
registers the UE 106, and authorizes the UE 106 for video service.
At 420, the MAGF 236 transmits a message to the UE 106 indicating
success.
In various implementations, upon receiving a network access request
from an SBA IMS device/terminal, such as from UE 106, the MAGF 236
may inspect the incoming HTTP message for security parameters and
service(s) being requested. Based on a configuration, the MAGF 236
may invoke a Multimedia Authentication Function (MAUF) 238.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a system 500 that includes
one or more components for utilizing an SBA IMS network 114,
according to some implementations. The system 500 includes a
terminal 502, which can represent a UE 106, or another computing
device, coupled to a server 504, via a network 506. The server 504
can represent a computing device, such as one or more of the
servers within the access network 102, the 5G CN 110, SBA IMS
network 114, and/or some other computing device. The network 506
can represent network 110, 114, 118 and/or access network 102, or
some other network.
The network 506 can include one or more networks, such as a
cellular network 508 and a data network 510. The network 506 can
include one or more core network(s) connected to terminal(s) via
one or more access network(s). Example access networks include LTE,
WIFI, GSM Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access
Network (GERAN), UTRAN, and other cellular access networks. Message
transmission, reception, fallback, and deduplication as described
herein can be performed, e.g., via 3G, 4G, 5G, WIFI, or other
networks.
The cellular network 508 can provide wide-area wireless coverage
using a technology such as GSM, Code Division Multiple Access
(CDMA), UMTS, LTE, NR, or the like. Example networks include Time
Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Evolution-Data Optimized (EVDO),
Advanced LTE (LTE+), Generic Access Network (GAN), Unlicensed
Mobile Access (UMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access
(OFDM), GPRS, EDGE, Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS), High Speed
Packet Access (HSPA), evolved HSPA (HSPA+), VoIP, VoLTE, IEEE
802.1x protocols, wireless microwave access (WIMAX), WIFI, and/or
any future IP-based network technology or evolution of an existing
IP-based network technology. Communications between the server 504
and terminals such as the terminal 502 can additionally or
alternatively be performed using other technologies, such as wired
(Plain Old Telephone Service, POTS, or PSTN lines), optical (e.g.,
Synchronous Optical NETwork, SONET) technologies, and the like.
The data network 510 can include various types of networks for
transmitting and receiving data (e.g., data packets), including
networks using technologies such as WIFI, IEEE 802.15.1
("BLUETOOTH"), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), WIMAX, and other
network technologies, e.g., configured to transport IP packets. In
some examples, the server 504 includes or is communicatively
connected with an IWF or other device bridging networks, e.g., LTE,
3G, and POTS networks. In some examples, the server 504 can bridge
SS7 traffic from the PSTN into the network 506, e.g., permitting
PSTN customers to place calls to cellular customers and vice
versa.
In some examples, the cellular network 508 and the data network 510
can carry voice or data. For example, the data network 510 can
carry voice traffic using VoIP or other technologies as well as
data traffic, or the cellular network 508 can carry data packets
using HSPA, LTE, or other technologies as well as voice traffic.
Some cellular networks 508 carry both data and voice in a PS
format. For example, many LTE networks carry voice traffic in data
packets according to the VoLTE standard. Various examples herein
provide origination and termination of, e.g., carrier-grade voice
calls on, e.g., networks 506 using CS transports or mixed VoLTE/5G
transports, or on terminals 502 including OEM handsets and non-OEM
handsets.
The terminal 502 can be or include a wireless phone, a wired phone,
a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a wristwatch, or other type
of terminal. The terminal 502 can include one or more processors
512, e.g., one or more processor devices such as microprocessors,
microcontrollers, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs),
application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable
logic devices (PLDs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs),
programmable array logic devices (PALs), or digital signal
processors (DSPs), and one or more computer readable media (CRM)
514, such as memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM), solid state
drives (SSDs), or the like), disk drives (e.g., platter-based hard
drives), another type of computer-readable media, or any
combination thereof. The CRM or other memory of terminal 502 can
hold a datastore, e.g., an SQL or NoSQL database, a graph database,
a BLOB, or another collection of data. The terminal 502 can further
include a user interface (UI) 516, e.g., including an electronic
display device, a speaker, a vibration unit, a touchscreen, or
other devices for presenting information to a user and receiving
commands from the user. The terminal 502 can further include one or
more network interface(s) 518 configured to selectively communicate
(wired or wirelessly) via the network 506, e.g., via an access
network 122.
The CRM 514 can be used to store data and to store instructions
that are executable by the processors 512 to perform various
functions as described herein. The CRM 514 can store various types
of instructions and data, such as an operating system, device
drivers, etc. The processor-executable instructions can be executed
by the processors 512 to perform the various functions described
herein.
The CRM 514 can be or include computer-readable storage media.
Computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to,
RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM,
digital versatile discs (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic
cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic
storage devices, or any other tangible, non-transitory medium which
can be used to store the desired information and which can be
accessed by the processors 512. Tangible computer-readable media
can include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable
media implemented in any method or technology for storage of
information, such as computer readable instructions, data
structures, program components, or other data.
The CRM 514 can include processor-executable instructions of an
application 520. The CRM 514 can store information 522 identifying
the terminal 502. The information 522 can include, e.g., an IMEI,
an IMSI identifying the subscriber using terminal 502, or other
information discussed above. The CRM 514 can additionally or
alternatively store credentials (omitted for brevity) used for
access, e.g., to IMS or RCS services.
The server 504 can include one or more processors 528 and one or
more CRM 530. The CRM 530 can be used to store processor-executable
instructions of a data processing component 532, a SBA connection
component 534 which may configured to determine if a request is in
the form of a stateless protocol intended for the SBA IMS network
114, a network component 536 that is configured to perform one or
more network operations, as well as one or more other components
538. The processor-executable instructions can be executed by the
one or more processors 528 to perform various functions described
herein.
In some examples, server 504 can communicate with (e.g., is
communicatively connectable with) terminal 502 or other devices via
one or more communications interface(s) 540, e.g., network
transceivers for wired or wireless networks, or memory interfaces.
Example communications interface(s) 540 can include ETHERNET or
FIBRE CHANNEL transceivers, WIFI radios, or DDR memory-bus
controllers (e.g., for DMA transfers to a network card installed in
a physical server 504).
In some examples, processor 512 and, if required, CRM 514, are
referred to for brevity herein as a "control unit." For example, a
control unit can include a CPU or DSP and instructions executable
by that CPU or DSP to cause that CPU or DSP to perform functions
described herein. Additionally, or alternatively, a control unit
can include an ASIC, FPGA, or other logic device(s) wired
(physically or via blown fuses or logic-cell configuration data) to
perform functions described herein. Other examples of control units
can include processor 528 and, if required, CRM 530.
FIG. 6 illustrates an example process. The example process is
illustrated as a logical flow graph, each operation of which
represents a sequence of operations that can be implemented in
hardware, software, or a combination thereof. In the context of
software, the operations represent computer-executable instructions
stored on one or more computer-readable storage media that, when
executed by one or more processors, perform the recited operations.
Generally, computer-executable instructions include routines,
programs, objects, components, data structures, and the like that
perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data
types. The order in which the operations are described is not
intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the
described operations can be combined in any order and/or in
parallel to implement the process.
FIG. 6 illustrates an example process that includes utilizing an
SBA IMS network 114, according to some implementations. The process
includes, at 602, receiving, within an SBA IMS network 114, a
request for a service, such as a NF. For example, a node 116 within
the SBA IMS network 114 may receive a request from UE 106, or from
some other node, such as from one or more of the nodes 112
illustrated in 5G CN 110.
At 604, the node receiving the request, or some other node (e.g.,
one or more of the nodes 112 and/or 116), identifies that the
request is from a device, such as UE 106, that is accordance with a
stateless protocol or a stateful protocol. As discussed above, the
request may follow a stateless HTTP (or some other stateless
protocol), or may follow SIP, such as in a legacy IMS network
118.
At 606, a determination is made as to whether the request follows a
stateless protocol. When the request follows a stateless protocol
as utilized by the SBA IMS network 114, the process 600 flows to
608. When the request does not follow a stateless protocol and
follows a stateful protocol such as utilized by the legacy IMS
network 118, the process 600 flows to 610.
At 608, the service is provided directly to the requesting node.
For example, the node receiving the request in the SBA IMS network
114 may provide the requested NF to the UE 106.
At 610, the node receiving the request, or some other node,
identifies that the request is for communication with a second
device that is within a non-SBA IMS network, such as the legacy IMS
network 118 that utilizes SIP.
At 612, a node within the SBA IMS network 114, such as MIF 244,
establishes a connection between the SBA IMS network 114 and the
non-SBA IMS network, such as the legacy IMS network 118.
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific
to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be
understood that the subject matter described in this disclosure is
not necessarily limited to any of the specific features or acts
described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as
examples and embodiments of the present disclosure.
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